Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications that can damage the registry by using aggressive cleaning routines and cause your computer to become unbootable.

The Windows registry is a central repository (database) for storing configuration data, user settings and machine-dependent settings, and options for the operating system. It contains information and settings for all hardware, software, users, and preferences. Whenever a user makes changes to settings, file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in this repository. The registry is a crucial component because it is where Windows "remembers" all this information, how it works together, how Windows boots the system and what files it uses when it does. The registry is also a vulnerable subsystem, in that relatively small changes done incorrectly can render the system inoperable. For a more detailed explanation, read Understanding The Registry.

Not all registry cleaners are created equal. There are a number of them available but they do not all work entirely the same way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad entry". One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause problems when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work.

Not all registry cleaners create a backup of the registry before making changes. If the changes prevent the system from booting up, then there is no backup available to restore it in order to regain functionality. A backup of the registry is essential BEFORE making any changes to the registry.

Improperly removing registry entries can hamper malware disinfection and make the removal process more difficult if your computer becomes infected. For example, removing malware related registry entries before the infection is properly identified can contribute to system instability and even make the malware undetectable to removal tools.

The usefulness of cleaning the registry is highly overrated and can be dangerous. In most cases, using a cleaner to remove obsolete, invalid, and erroneous entries does not affect system performance but it can result in "unpredictable results".

Unless you have a particular problem that requires a registry edit to correct it, I would suggest you leave the registry alone. Using registry cleaning tools unnecessarily or incorrectly could lead to disastrous effects on your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again.For routine use, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.

1. MSE topic:
When requested to run Combofix, within the body of the message it stated I should run Appremover to identify any programs that may conflict. I did run this program and uninstalled the MSE program as stated in post #17. I did not reinstall MSE due to your response in post #16, "We can reinstall it when we're done with CF". I'm assuming we are done with Combofix and you want me to reinstall MSE?

2. Eusing Free Registry Cleaner topic:
Can't recall the last time I used this but I did remove it from my system.

3. ESET Scan topic:
I didn't realize you wanted me to leave the 'fix issues' checked when following your instructions. I reran the scan and fixed the issues. The log contents are as follows:

4. My Documents topic:
The files cannot be seen or accessed on Garry S. Glover's My Documents.
The C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\*My Documents*
This is actually my side of the computer: Garry S. Glover
I'm registered as the Administrator for the computer.
Barbara has never signed on to use the computer even though I noticed it showed some issues.

Yes, this whole issue has been since I downloaded the program offered by IOLO that all My Document files are unaccessable. As stated below, recovery programs have found some but not all but I have to recover each and every file manually and individually.

I included the original text I sent you from Post #1: Three days ago, I was upgrading an adobe program when a company called IOLO offered a free system checkup. I downloaded the program and found for $ they would fix issues with my computer. When I accepted the program that was downloaded (system checkup) self-destructed. I then became suspicious and began checking my computer. All my files in the C: drive were left alone but all the files in My Documents were changed. The computer shows the files sizes are still existing but I'm unable to view the files in the recycle bin or within the non-deleted folders in My Documents. I have performed numerous restores and it has restored my icons but not My Document files. I have also downloaded many recovery programs and have limited success but have taken no action with each. I have also contacted the IOLO company and they tried to unhide my files but to no avail. The technician told me that my issue could not be resolved and hung up. So with a friend's advice to contact you, I'm hoping to get a resolution to this issue.

A supplement to that is that the technician, once I granted him sharing my computer ran a %temp% search yielding nothing for him. He began running many attempts with an unhide program that acted strangely. Not like the ones I've seen run on friends computers or the one you had me run. It gave no screen for the status of the program.

The Desktop.ini file has popped up on me everytime I reboot (other than safe mode) and the contents are in an earlier post. I'll look it up for you.

I downloaded the file and ran executed it on my system. Once the program was done, it found 11 errors which IOLO said they could fix for $. I accepted and that's when everything went haywire. Most of my icons had disappeared, my screensaver was gone, and also My Document files. Also, the System Check program I downloaded self-deleted.

Unable to locate the file to determine if all of it is gone.

I tried many restores after that. They recovered my screensaver and icons but not my files. After trying the restores, I contacted IOLO about fixing this issue. They immediately searched for %temp% and got back nothing. IOLO attempted their modified unhide program and also with no results. The technicians also opened the DOS command screen and ran some programs but also with no results. That's when IOLO technicians told me that the issue was unresolvable and hung up on me. I called back, got another technician, she found the other's notes and told me the same thing along with a Senior Programmer there.